Polyvagal Theory is a revolutionary theory that connects the changes in the Autonomic Nervous System(ANS) in relation to trauma, introduced in 1994 by behavioral neuroscientist Stephen W. Porges.
Polyvagal theory is a collection of proposed evolutionary, neuroscientific, and psychological constructs pertaining to the role of the vagus nerve in emotion regulation, social connection and fear response.
The ANS ladder contains three hierarchical responses that are involuntary: Safe-and-Connected (ventral vagal), Fight-or-Flight (sympathetic) and Freeze-and-Shutdown (dorsal vagal). The concept of Neuroception was also introduced within the theory that our nervous system has a perception of its own, and it detects and reacts faster than the perception of the mind. In other words, our body feel the situation that we are in way before our mind can consciously comprehend.
When we repetitively experience emotionally overwhelming events that are beyond what normally our body can tolerate or express, a neuroceptive mismatch occurs when the ANS can get stuck in between sympathetic and dorsal vagal as a habitual response even when we are physically back to a safe environment. With a focus on the ANS health related body-oriented tools, it leads to discharge energies that are stagnant, regulate and restore your sense of safety, connection and optimal functioning.
